Valencia’s hotel industry was significantly affected by severe flooding in November, which caused a sharp drop in both international and domestic visitors.
According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), the province saw a decline of over 35,000 foreign visitors compared to the same period last year. This decrease contributed to a loss of 80,000 overnight stays, disrupting what had been a record-breaking trend for the city’s tourism sector.
Despite these figures, the overall activity at Valencia Airport managed to hold steady. However, the absence of nearly a third of international visitors significantly impacted local hotels. In November 2022, the city welcomed 115,319 foreign tourists, but this year’s flooding brought that number down considerably.
Domestic tourism also suffered, with over 14,000 fewer Spanish residents staying in hotels during the same month. While Valencia’s hotels did provide shelter for some flood victims and volunteers, the drop in visitors from other regions of Spain mirrored the broader trend.
Interestingly, while visitor numbers declined, the total number of overnight stays among Spanish nationals actually increased by 83,000. This was driven by an increase in average stay duration, rising from just over two days to approximately two and a half days.
Regionally, the impact of the floods was contained within Valencia, with Alicante showing more resilience and cushioning the overall decline in travelers to the region. Across the Valencian Community, total traveler numbers only dropped by 23,000—a smaller decline compared to the losses seen in Valencia city alone.
From a financial perspective, the flood’s effect on profitability was more moderate. The average daily rate (ADR) for hotels increased slightly to €93.30, surpassing last year’s figure by €1.00. Similarly, revenue per available room (RevPAR) inched up by €0.40, landing at €62.57. This marked a slowdown from the growth observed in October, but still reflected resilience within the hospitality sector.
While the floods disrupted tourism patterns, Valencia’s hotels maintained their profitability, suggesting that extended stays and stable pricing helped balance the decline in visitor numbers. As recovery efforts continue, local businesses are hopeful that the tourism sector will bounce back stronger in the coming months.
